A landslide is the movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Almost every landslide has multiple causes. Slope movement occurs when forces acting down-slope (mainly due to gravity) exceed the strength of the earth materials that compose the slope. Landslides can be initiated in slopes already on the verge of movement by rainfall, changes in water level, stream erosion, changes in ground water, earthquakes, volcanic activity, disturbance by human activities, recent wildfire or any combination of these factors. Earthquake shaking and other factors can also induce landslides underwater. These landslides are called submarine landslides. Submarine landslides sometimes cause tsunamis that damage coastal areas.
Alerts, Warnings & Orders
There are no current landslide emergency events in Sonoma County, however this page will populate with the latest information in the case of an incident.
